Labour retains healthy lead in latest poll

Prime Minister Helen Clark has to call an election by late September. Picture / Mark Mitchell

Labour retains a firm lead over National in the latest poll despite declining approval of the Government's performance and increasing concern about the economy.

The Television One/Colmar Brunton poll recorded 46 per support for Labour and 35 per cent for National as both parties prepare for this year's general election

The 11 percentage points lead is the result of National falling 4 points and Labour gaining 2 points since the last Television One poll in February.

Most polls of recent times have recorded Labour holding a lead over National of around 10 percentage points.

There was no dramatic change in support for the minor parties with the Greens up 1 percentage point to 5 per cent, New Zealand First steady on 5 per cent, ACT up 1 point to 3 per cent, and the Maori Party and United Future both recording 1 per cent support.

The poll was taken between March 14-17 when the major political events included problems with the flu vaccine, the ACT party conference, an interest rate rise and continuing worries about the education system.

The only small comfort for National in the polls is a sign that the nation's confidence in the Government and the economy is starting to fade.

Those who think the economy will get worse over the next 12 months increased by 10 percentage points to 35 per cent, while those who felt it would get better dropped by 10 points to 32 per cent.

It is the first time in many months that economic pessimists outnumbered optimists in this poll.

Those who thought the economy would stay the same was up one point to 34 per cent.

Approval of the Government's performance also recorded a 7 percentage point fall to 48 per cent, while those who disapproved were up 4 points to 34 per cent.

An election must be held by late September and over the weekend both major parties readied themselves for the coming campaign.

Labour continued its preparation by finalising its party list, while National continued its series of regional conferences.

National leader Don Brash and president Judy Kirk told the faithful to campaign to win a larger share of the party vote and not focus just on winning electorate seats.

- NZPA